Page 22 of On One Condition

Something catches in my periphery and I look up just in time to see Asher cross her arms over her chest and give a subtle head shake. I’m guessing she’s saying the same goes for her. That I knew her then and don’t know her now.

I lose my concentration and have to force myself to remember where we were. What I’m doing.

“Isn’t this why you’ve insisted I be here? So I can get to know the town to your satisfaction?” I meet the eyes of the other six council members.

“We have a running history in which we do good for and by the people of Cedar Falls,” the mayor continues without answering my question.

“As any city council should.”

“And you have a reputation for coming in, gutting a town of its jobs and charm without any regard for the city.”

“I beg to differ, Mayor Grossman.” Jesus Christ. This is Ford’s realm. The kissing the babies and shaking hands shit. Not mine. “Sharpe International intends to leave a positive footprint wherever we have a property.”

“A positive footprint?”

“Yes, sir. As noted in the request sent to my office, we failed on our promise to hire locally. I’m here to satisfy that condition, among other things.”

“Among other things?”

Why does he keep repeating what I’m saying?

“Yes, sir.”

“But let’s face it. You’re only here because we threatened to hold your permits unless you came here to understand our way of life.”

I stare at him and question where he’s going with this. “We take a vested interest in all our properties. While I can’t say that our schedules would have allowed one of my brothers or me to stay in town for a full two months during the renovation, we definitely would have been here on and off to check on its progress. And what we couldn’t check on personally, we fully trust Hillary Deegan, our on-site project manager, to do just as good of a job as we do.” I pause for dramatic effect. “We always strive to go above and beyond for the community. In turn, that helps make our resort profitable. And that, Mayor Grossman, puts dollars back into your community.”

“Above and beyond. A vested interest.” He lowers his glasses to the top of his nose and stares at me above their frame as I nod.

Can we speed this up? I have shit to do. Millions of dollars to spend and deals to make. Things way more important than kissing some pompous man’s ass for a simple goddamn permit.

One that we can’t live without no less.

This is below my pay grade. So fucking below it my back aches trying to stoop to its level.

Doesn’t he have a cow to go tip somewhere? A defenseless animal to kill in the name of sport?

“Is something the matter, Mr. Sharpe?”

“Of course not.” I offer a go-fuck-yourself smile. “What else could I possibly have to do than to stand here and listen to you repeat my own words back to me?”

“Like above and beyond and a vested interest,” he repeats.

“Correct.” Check your temper, Ledge. “Just like those.”

“Strong words coming from a man who just last night was overheard at Hank’s saying”—the mayor looks at a paper in front of him—“‘the best part about this town is that I get to leave it when my two months of torture are up. It’s a fucking fishbowl.’ Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but those were your words, weren’t they?”

Motherfucker. Someone heard my conversation with Ford while I was standing outside of Hank’s.

Goddamn small town, everybody knows everybody, and everybody loves to know everybody’s business.

I’m fucked.

Utterly and totally fucked.

Mayor Grossman waits for my response with expectant eyes as the citizens who chose to attend chatter behind me. They aren’t exactly thrilled with my insult to their town and in turn, them.

“Mr. Sharpe?” he prompts.